RESULTS 

of Spraying Irish Potatoes at the 
Vermont Experiment Station 



.V>^ 



v^ 



SPRAYED 



UNSPRAYED 

Total yield of sprayed potatoes per acre, 291 bushels 
Total yield of unsprayed potatoes per acre, 99^ bushels 
Profit of spraying, 1915^ bushels per acre 

Plate I 



Spraying for Profit 

A Practical Handbook 

Describing Best Methods for 
Suppressing the More 
Common Injurious Insects 
and Fungous Diseases 

^^ Sprayology " Simplified 

By 

Howard Evarts Weed, M. S. 
Landscape Architect 

Formerly Entomologist and Horticulturist 
Mississippi Experiment Station 



Revised and 



rewritten 



1906 

Horticultural Publishing Company 

Rogers Park 

Chicago 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

NOV J 6 1906 

^ Copyrlfifht Entry 

^^^^<ru. 9 /90i 
CLASS A. XXc.iNo, 

COPY B. 



^ 



4'' 



Booklets by the same Author 

The Ornamentation of tne City Lot 

The Home Beautiful 

The Landscape Architect and his Work 

Park Cemeteries 



COPYRIGHT, 1899 - 1906 

BY 
HOWARD EVARTS WEED 



CONTENTS 

PAGE. 

Introduction 9 

CHAPTER I 

Some Genei'ul Principles 

Fungous Diseases 13 

Bacterial Diseases 14 

Leaf-eating Insects 15 

Cut-worms 16 

Scale Insects 16 

Plant Lice 17 

Lice on Domestic Animals 18 

Some Things to Remember 18 

CHAPTER II 

Materials Used in Spraying 

Fungicides 21 

Insecticides 21 

Bordeaux Mixture 21 

Insecticides with Bordeaux 24 

Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate 25 

Lime and Sulphur Solution 26 

Kerosene 27 

Paris Green 28 

Arsenate of Lead 29 

Special Preparations ' 30 

Liquid or Dry Application ? 30 

CHAPTER III 

Spray Pumps ami Out fits 

Spray Bellows and Atomizers 33 

Bucket Spray Pumps 34 

Knapsack Sprayers 34 



CONTENTS 



II 



Barrel Spray Pumps 35 

Compressed Air Outfits 35 

Power Sprayers 36 

Kerosene Sprayers 37 

Extensions 37 

Field Sprayers 38 

Nozzles 38 

The Proper Outfits 39 

Care of an Outfit 40 

CHAPTER IV 

Summary of Spraying Plants 

PAGE. PAGE. , 

Apple 43 Melon 50 H 

Bean 46 Orange 51 ' 

Blackberry 47 Peach 51 

Cabbage 47 Pear 53 

Celery 37 Plum 54 

Cherry 48 Potato 55 

Corn 48 Quince 56 

Cotton 48 Raspberry 56 

Cucumber 49 Rose 56 

Currant 49 Strawberry 57 

Flowers 49 Shade Trees 57 

Gooseberry ' . 49 Squash 58 

Grape 50 Tobacco 58 

Grass 50 Tomato 58 

CHAPTER V 

Summary of Spraying Domestic Animals 

Cattle 61 Hogs 62 

Cats 62 Horses 62 

Dogs 62 Poultry ! 62 



FOREWORD TO REVISED EDITION 

The methods of combating the ravages of injurious 
insects and fungous diseases have been so materially im- 
proved since the first edition of this little work in 
1899, accompanied also by improvements to spraying 
machines themselves, that a revised and entirely rewritten 
work has become necessary. That the simplicity and 
"boiledowness" of the booklet has been appreciated by the 
thousands daily using spraying apparatus, is shown by the 
fact that twelve distinct editions of the work have here- 
tofore been issued. 

The aim in the preparation of this work has been to place 
before the farmer and fruit grower a practical condensed 
hand-book describing the how, when, and why of the 
application of the more common insecticides and fungicides 
in daily use for the destruction of injurious insects and 
prevention of fungous diseases. Its originality lies in its 
simplicity, but while the work is condensed, nothing of 
general importance has been omitted. Growers of special 
crops will need to consult the many excellent bulletins 
issued by the Department of Agriculture and the Agricul- 
tural Experiment Stations, relative to spraying these crops. 

With the revised work has also come a change in form 
convenient to the coat pocket. We place a large-sized volume 
aside, expecting to read it tomorrow, only to find that on 
the morrow we have even less time for reading than today. 
It is hoped that the work in its present form may find a 
place in the pocket of every man "behind the nozzle" to 



FOREWORD TO REVISED EDITION 



serve as a guide to the many useful purposes for which a 
spray pump can be used. 

A careful study of each chapter is needed to give one a 
thorough knowledge of the science and art of Sprayology. 
If the first three chapters are taken up as a study, page 
by page, it will be found that the "remaining chapters giving 
a summary of spraying particular plants and domestic 
animals can be more readily understood. In fact the last 
two chapters should only be consulted after a thorough 
understanding of the preceding chapters. 

H. E. W. 



Rogers Park, Chicago, October 1st, 1906. 



INTRODUCTION 

Estimates as to the annual loss to agriculture caused by 
injurious insects and fungous diseases show that the yield 
of all crops is lessened by them fully twenty-five per cent. 
This means an annual loss of more than iive hundred mil- 
lions of dollars in the United States alone. By proper 
spraying fully seventy-five per cent of this great loss can 
be prevented. This statement needs no proof, as all prac- 
tical fruit growers have demonstrated time and again. 

Spraying was first practiced about 1878 by the applica- 
tion of Paris green to potatoes for the destruction of the 
potato beetles. Soon thereafter it was found that for 
some reason the Paris green spray was also useful in 
preventing apples from becoming wormy, and then the 
entomologists gave us the life history of the apple worm 
which explained the how and why. It is often important 
that we know the life history or transformations through 
which an insect passes in order that we may understand 
the reason for spraying at some particular time. Thus in 
the case of the apple worm, after we know that the tiny 
eggs are laid in the blossom end of the young apple, we 
see the importance of placing a small amount of poison 
upon each forming apple in order to kill the young worms 
as they eat through the skin into the fruit. 

It was not until after the establishment of the various 
state Agricultural Experiment Stations in 1887 that spray- 
ing came into general practice as a recognized necessity. 
The many experiments conducted at the Stations showed 
that spraying was of practically universal application for 
the destruction of injurious insects and the prevention of 



10 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

fungous diseases. Spraying is now recognized as the 
practical method of saving crops and a spray pump of 
some sort is as necessary as a plow. "The man with the 
hoe" is closely followed by the man with the hose — and the 
nozzle. 

But while all admit — for seeing is believing — the great 
loss caused by injurious insects and fungous diseases, only 
a few realise as yet that this loss is really a benefit to every 
progressive farmer. For as the loss can be prevented by 
intelligent effort, it is only the shiftless — the "Peter Tumble- 
downs"— who do not put spraying into practice. This 
gives the active, progressive, thinking farmer an immense 
ad^aiitage. The market demand for inferior fruit does not 
pay for its harvest, for it stands little chance for sale along- 
side the choice fruit. Select fruit must of necessity be 
sprayed fruit. While spraying means work, it more than 
pays for itself in the increased market price obtained. 

As an example of the evolution 
which injurious insects and fungous 
diseases have brought about in 
farm practice, take the example of 
peach growing in Georgia. In 
former years every Georgia farmer 
raised peaches in plenty. Some 
years ago, owing to a steadily in- 
creasing demand for . Georgia 
peaches, large additional tracts of 
orchards were set out. But at a 
time when the markets would have 
otherwise been glutted, the San Jose 
scale made its appearance in the 
orchards. This scale — shown in Fig. 
The San Jose Scale. 1 — caused the death of thousands of 




INTRODUCTION \\ 



trees. The average Georgia farmer became discouraged 
and gave us peach growing entirely. Others were not will- 
ing to let a tiny insect smaller than a pin head drive them 
out of peach growing, so they increased their orchards, 
studied the science of spraying and purchased materials 
and pumps. Today Georgia peach growing is in the hands 
of specialists whose success lies in the fact that they have 
become spraying experts. 

However, the spraying must be done intelligently or the 
labor is wasted. Complaints such as the following are 
common : "I noticed worms on my currant bushes, so 
sprayed them. But it did not seem to do much good." 
Upon further inquiry it is usually discovered that the 
spraying was done after the worms had stripped the 
bushes of their leaves. When failure occurs it may usually 
be attributed to the lateness of the application. Spray in' 
time. Study the subject thoroughly. Spraying is not a 
cure-all. It will not bring back to life a dead plant, nor 
restore the leaves of a tree after they have been eaten 
off by some caterpillar. The best results are not obtained 
the first year, especially when spraying for the fungous 
diseases. Spraying is plant insurance. Success lies in giv- 
ing attention to details. 




Plate II. 
The Apple Scab. 



CHAPTER I. 

Some General Principles 

Fungous Diseases — Most diseases of plants are caused 
by low forms of vegetable life known as fungi which live 
upon and within the tissues of the higher plants. They 
are thus parasites which obtain their nourishment by the 
breaking down of the cells of the plants on which they 
exist. The main difference, other than size, between the 
fungi and the higher plants is the lack of the green coloring 
matter so abundant in the higher order of vegetation. The 
methods of development in the fungi are very similar to 
that of higher plants, but their microscopic size renders 
their study more difficult. The parasitic fungi spend the 
winter mostly v/ithin the living and dead vegetable tissues 
and during the first warm days of spring send out small 
spores which correspond to the seeds of the higher plants. 
These spores are disseminated by the wind and otherj 
wise from plant to plant. With favorable conditions as to 
moisture and warmth, the spores send out small branches 
which penetrate into the living tissues of the higher orders 
of growth. Here new branches are formed in immense 
numbers which soon sap the vitality of the plant and cause 
it to become diseased. New spores are developed on the 
exterior of the plant from tinje to time, but more especially 
in damp warm weather, and thus a fungous disease may 
become widely disseminated in a very short time. 

By the application of a fungicide to a plant we destroy 
the spores which have found lodgment upon it and thus 
prevent the development of additional spores which would 
cause its disease. Just as long as the tissues of plants are 
covered with a thin even coating of a fungicide, no fungi 
can develop upon them. Thus if a fungicide is applied at 



14 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

regular intervals of about two weeks during the spring and 
early summer, a plant disease may be held entirely in check. 

Thus a fungicide is a preventive, and its application 
should begin long before the disease has advanced far 
enough to manifest itself to any extent. We should profit 
by the experience of former years and when our grape 
vines, for example, are affected with rot this year we should 
begin the spraying with a fungicide next year long before 
the time of the manifestation of the disease. It is a well- 
known fact also that the Bordeaux mixture has a beneficial 
effect upon growing plants other than its action as a 
fungicide. For this reason many nurserymen and others 
make a regular practice of its application simply to pro- 
mote a healthful growth. The application of Bordeaux 
mixture is thus good plant insurance. Applied to Irish 
potatoes, it causes the vines to remain green rhuch longer 
than would otherwise be the case, and this in turn causes 
the formation of larger tubers. It will thus increase the 
yield of potatoes more than enough to pay for its applica- 
tion, even though potato diseases may not be present. 

Some fruits — the apple, grape, peach, and plum — are 
nearly always susceptible to fungus diseases and should be 
regularly sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture every two or 
three weeks during the spring and early summer. This 
will do much towards insuring a good crop each year. 

Bacterial Diseases — Unfortunately not all diseases in 
plants are caused by the fungi. A few are caused by other 
low forms of vegetable life known as the bacteria. These 
are the "germs" which also cause so many diseases in man 
and the domestic animals. It will suit our purpose, in this 
connection, to explain the difference between the fungi 
and the bacteria by saying that the fungi develop their 
spores on the exterior of the host plant, while the bacteria 



SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES 15 



develop and multiply entirely within the plant. The appli- 
cation of any substance, even a fungicide, upon a plant 
practically does not affect the growth of the bacteria within 
that plant. Thus the purely bacterial diseases cannot be 
remedied with any form of spraying. About all that can 
be done, with our present knowledge of the subject, is to 
practice rotation of crops, select resistant varieties and give 
proper cultivation. The above explanation is made in this 
connection in order that it may be understood why spraying 
is not a specific in all cases of plant disease. Perhaps the 
best known bacterial disease is the twig blight of the apple 
and pear, known also as the "fire blight" of the pear. 

The Leaf=eating Insects — There is a marked distinc- 
tion in the manner in which insects take their food. Some 
eat the leaves while others suck the plant juices. Without 
knowing to which of these two general classes a particular 
insect belongs, one is unable to intelligently apply a remedy. 
Insects which eat the leaves have their mouth parts formed 
-for biting off bits of vegetable matter and in this way eat 
their food in much the same manner as do the higher 
animals. The insects which suck the plant juices, on the 
other hand, have their mouth parts formed into a beak 
which is inserted into the plant tissues. Thus a large 
number of the sucking insects on a plant will soon extract 
so much of its vitality as to cause it to wither and die. 

Some of the best known of the eating insects are the 
Irish potato beetle, cut-worms and the various caterpillars. 
While these insects can be destroyed by either an external 
irritant insecticide or a stomach poison insecticide, it is best 
to apply the last named. These are the various poisons 
which kill by being eaten by the insects, when taken into 
the alimentary canal or stomach along with particles of 
food. We thus apply this class of insecticides, to the plants^ 



16 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

making no effort to apply it directly to the insects. Ap- 
plied to the plants upon which the insects feed, small par- 
ticles of the insecticide will be taken into the system and 
will soon kill the insects by its action as a poison. 

Cut=worms — These are the larval form of many species 
of moths. They attack a great variety of plants and are 
always more numerous upon land which has been in sod 
for a year or more. To destroy cut-worms moisten a 
quantity of corn meal or wheat bran with water, to which 
add and mix thoroughly a small amount of Paris green 
or other poison and a little molasses. Place small quanti- 
ties of this in various portions of the field where the worms 
are at work, being careful to place the poisoned meal upon 
the ridges and not in the hollows. Of course it should not 
be placed where accessible to poultry. 

Scale Insects — These are small sucking insects which in 
former years were introduced into the orchards through the 
nurseries. Now, however, owing to the various state laws 
requiring an inspection of all nursery stock by competent 
entomologists, this source of infection is reduced to the 
minimum. Unfortunately nursery inspection has only been 
practiced for a few years past and the various scale insects 
have become widely disseminated. Owing to the small size 
of the scale insects their presence is not generally known 
until the injury caused by their work becomes apparent. A 
main branch of a fruit tree dies back and upon 
examination is found to be covered with an incrustation 
of some sort showing many dark specks. We then find 
that the tree is infested with the San Jose scale shown 
in Fig. 1. While most scale insects are very small and 
only appear as minute specks, others are a quarter of an 
inch or more in diameter. An example of such is shown 
in Fig. 2, the Cottony Maple Scale, so common in some 



SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES 



17 




years upon the soft 
maples. 

For all scale in- 
sects we should ap- 
ply a contact insecti- 
cide directly upon Fig. 2. 
the insects. This will The Cottony Maple Scale. 
kill them by penetration and irritation. 

Plant Lice — These are the lice so common upon a great 
variety of plants throughout the summer. They may be 
green in color as is the case with the lice on the underside 
of rose leaves and orsthe flowers of the common snowball 
in June. Some are red, a common form occurring on 
Rudbeckia or the Golden Glow in August. Still others are 
black, such as the common Cherry Aphis. Green, how- 
ever, is the more prevalent -color. Plant lice may or may 
not have wings, both forms being shown in Fig. 3. The 
most common form during the summer months are the 
wingless females which produce living young. Winged 
males appear in the autumn. Some species lay eggs in 
autumn which are 
not hatched until 
the following 
spring, ivliile the 
females of other 
species are pro- 
tected in winter by 
ants, who carry 
them to the inte- 
rior of their nests 
and in the spring 
place them upon 
the proper food 




18 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

plant. The ants feed upon the "honey dew" which is no 
more nor less than the sap of plants pumped out by either 
scale insects or plant lice. Whenever large numbers of 
ants are seen upon a plant it is a good indication that 
either scale insects or plant lice are present. 

The remedy for the plant lice is the same as for the scale 
insects — the application of an external irritant insecticide. 

Lice on Domestic Animals — These exist in great va- 
riety, the different species of animals having a different 
kind of lice attacking them. Animals infested with lice 
should be sprayed or dipped in Kreso using one or two 
per cent solution. For lice on poultry dip thoroughly in a 
one per cent Kreso and for mites in poultry houses spray 
the houses thoroughly with a two per cent Kreso. 

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER 

Spray intelligently, having a definite aim in view and 
knowing the results that are expected to follow. 

Spray thoroughly or not at all. This can be accom- 
plished by the application of a small amount of the spray 
liquid on every part of the plant, top, middle, and bottom. 
An excess of spray at any particular point is both wasteful 
of material and may cause injury to the foliage. 

Never spray fruit trees zvhen in bloom. The spraying is 
apt to wash off the pollen and when this occurs no fruit 
will set. The bees of the neighborhood may also be pois- 
oned. 

Label all poisons so that you will know just what they 
are. 

Keep all poisons away from children and domestic 
animals. 

When using a solution of a strength that may damage 



SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES 19 

foliage, spray but one or two plants at first. If no damage 
results after three days, it may be safely applied on a larger 
scale. 

Never use a tin vessel in making the Bordeaux mixture 
or other solution containing copper. 

Have a good spraying outfit, one especially adapted to 
the work in hand. 

Spray in Time — A plant cannot be saved after it has 
been half destroyed by insects ; nor will it fully recover 
after its tissues have become infested with a fungous 
disease. 




Plate III. 
Strawberry Leaf Blight. 



CHAPTER II. 

Materials Used in Spraying 

Fungicides are substances used in destroying fungi, 
which are low vegetable organisms causing disease in 
plants. More correctly spealdng, the' fungicide acts as a 
preventive of plant disease by obstructing the germination 
of the spores of the fungi causing such disease. Since 
these spores grow upon the exterior portion of plants, if we 
cover the plants with a coating of a copper salt or other 
chemical deleterious to the germination of the spores, the 
reproduction of the fungi is held in check and thus plant 
disease is prevented. 

Insecticides are substances used in killing insects. 
Those used in spraying are readily divided into two general 
classes : The internal poisons and the external contact 
irritants, known also as the internal and external contact 
insecticides. The internal poisons are only used for insects 
with biting mouth parts and they kill because of their 
poisonous action. The external contact insecticides act by 
their penetrating and irritant qualities and while more or 
less useful for the destruction of all insects, they are espe- 
cially used against all insects whose mouth parts are 
formed for sucking. 

Bordeaux Mixture — This is the standard fungicide and 
consists of a combination of copper sulphate, fresh lime and 
water. As it is used for the prevention of nearly all 
fungous diseases, its proper preparation is a matter of con- 
siderable importance. The proportions and manner in 
which the various ingredients are combined so largely 
afifect the resulting mixture that it would be a difficult 
matter to make identically the same mixture twice in sue- 



22 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

cession. The formula in most general use is the following: 

Copper sulphate 4 pounds. 

Fresh lime 4 pounds. 

Water to make 50 gallons. 

For preparing on a small scale the copper sulphate should 
be dissolved in 25 gallons of water, using a half barrel for 
such purpose. To dissolve the copper sulphate readily, it 
should be placed in a coarse cloth bag and suspended in the 
v/ater so that the sulphate is just covered. It will not dis- 
solve readily if the copper sulphate is placed at the bottom 
of the vessel. The fresh lime should be dissolved in an- 
other vessel, using only a small amount of water at first, 
adding more as the process of slaking progresses. Then 
dilute to 25 gallons. The copper sulphate solution and the 
milk of lime should then be poured together into a third 
vessel, which may be the spray barrel. It is best to strain 
the materials when pouring them together. For such pur- 
pose a copper strainer of 18 or 20 meshes to the inch is 
best. It is important that practically equal amounts of 
the two solutions are poured together at the same time as 
illustrated in Fig. 4. Do not pour the copper sulphate into 
the milk of lime or vice versa, but both together into the 
third vessel. Otherwise the proper chemical combinations 
will not take place, sediment will form in the bottom of the 
spray barrel which will produce clogging at the nozzle and 
the proper results will not be obtained by the spraying. 

If only a limited amount of the Bordeaux mixture is to 
be used, the above method of its preparation should be fol- 
lowed. If, however, extensive orchards are to be sprayed 
the following methods should be employed : 

Stock Solutions of Lime and Copper Sulphate— 
Weigh out a given number of pounds of fresh lime and 
measure out the same number of gallons of water. Slake 



MATERIALS USED IN SPRAYING 



23 



the lime by the addition of a small amount of water at 
first and finally the whole amount. When this milk of lime 
is thoroughly stirred each gallon of the solution will con- 
tain r,^ pound of lime. In this way a barrel of lime can 
be slaked at once, so that there is no loss by air slaking. 

Dissolve any number of pounds of copper sulphate in a 
like number of gallons of wrter. A gallon of this solution 
when thoroughly stirred will contain one pound of the sul- 
phate. Use only a copper or granite-ware measure. Both 




Fig. 4. 
Making Bordeaux Mixture. 



of the stock solutions can be kept almost indefinitely if 
proper measures are taken to prevent evaporation of the 
water. 

To Make Bordeaux Mixture — In making a barrel of 
Bordeaux mixture from the stock solutions, take four gal- 
lons each of the copper sulphate and lime and dilute to 25 
gallons of water in separate vessels. Then pour the diluted 



24 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

solutions together into a third vessel or the spray barrel as 
already described. 

It is always advisable in extensive spraying opemtions 
to prepare the Bordeaux mixture on a raised platform con- 
veniently arranged so that the spray mixtures can be drawn 
off into the spray barrels by gravity. A convenient water 
supply will materially aid in saving time during the busy 
spraying season. 

A properly prepared Bordeaux mixture is of a sky blue 
color. With inferior or partly air slaked lime a greenish 
hue results. In such case the proper chemical combina- 
tions have not taken place and damage to the foliage is apt 
to result. Damage to foliage is the result of too little 
lime. A good method of testing the mixture is to dissolve 
an ounce of yellow prussiate of potash in five ounces of 
water and place in a bottle for use. After thoroughly stir- 
ring the mixture add two or three drops of the prussiate 
of potash. If a reddish-brown color is formed it indicates 
that free copper is present and more lime is needed. If no 
discoloration takes place it shows that sufficient lime had 
already been added. 

In spraying peach foliage it is always advisable to have 
an excess of lime. In fact a mixture made with three 
pounds of copper sulphate, nine pounds of lime to fifty 
gallons of water is recommended for this special purpose. 
This strength is sometimes mentioned as the "Peach Bor- 
deaux mixture." 

Insecticides with Bordeaux Mixture — In spraying 
many varieties of fruit trees it is advisable to add some 
of the stomach poisons, such as Paris green or arsenate 
of lead, at the rate of one-quarter pound to fifty gallons of 
Bordeaux mixture. In this way spraying for both insects 
and fungi is accomplished in a single operation. The com- 



MATERIALS USED IN SPRAYING 25 



bination of Bordeaux mixture with the contact insecti- 
cides, however, is not advisable, as it would lessen the 
adhesive properties of the Bordeaux mixture. 

In the use of Bordeaux mixture the hands soon become 
stained. This can be removed with dilute cider vinegar or 
dilute acetic acid. The vinegar is also useful in cleaning 
the sprayer after Bordeaux mixture has been used. When 
applied to fruit late in the season some traces of Bordeaux 
mixture may remain on the fruit which will lessen its at- 
tractive appearance. To remove, dip in vinegar and then 
in clear water. Where much spraying is to be done, the 
copper sulphate should be purchased by the barrel from a 
wholesale druggist and should then cost not more than 
six cents per pound. 

Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate— This is used as a 
fungicide when the stain of Bordeaux mixture upon ma- 
turing fruit or ornamental plants is objectionable. It is a 
clear light blue solution and leaves no stain. It is inferior 
as a fungicide, however, to Bordeaux mixture and is also 
more apt to cause injury to foliage. It loses strength 
when standing in open vessels, but may be kept indefinitely 
in closed Mason jars or "stoppered" bottles. 

Formula for making is as follows : 

Copper carbonate 5 ounces. 

Strong ammonia 1 quart. 

Water to make 50 gallons. 

Dilute the ammonia with two gallons of water. Add 
enough to the copper carbonate to make a thin paste, pour 
on about half the ammonia and stir thoroughly. Allow the 
mixture to settle and then pour off the top, leaving the 
undissolved portion behind. Repeat this operation, using 
small portions of the remaining ammonia until all the 
copper sulphate is dissolved, using no more ammonia than 



26 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

i? necessary to complete the solution. Then add the re- 
mainder of the required amount of water. 

Lime and Sulphur Solution — This is an effective spray 
material being both fungicide and insecticide in its action. 
It originated on the Pacific coast, but in more recent years 
has come more extensively into general use for the destruc- 
tion of scale insects and prevention of fungous diseases. It 
can be used only in winter or early spring, while the trees 
are dormant. It is most effective when applied just before the 
buds begin to swell. Of the many formulas used in its pre- 
paration, the following is perhaps the b^st : 

Fresh lime 20 pounds. 

Flowers of sulphur 15 pounds. 

Salt 10 pounds. 

Water to make 50 gallons. 

If a good grade of lime is used which has not at all 
become air slaked, 15 pounds will probably be sufficient, 
but with partly air slaked lime 20 to 30 pounds will be 
needed, as lime absorbs an equal weight of water in be- 
coming air slaked. 

To prepare the solution, place the lime in an iron kettle, 
or vat if steam is used, and slake it with hot water, adding 
water enough to make about ten gallons. The sulphur and 
salt are then added and thoroughly mixed. Now boil the 
mixture from 40 to 60 minutes, stirring it constantly. 
When the sulphur is all dissolved further cooking is un- 
necessary. As the sulphur dissolves more readily in a 
concentrated mixture with lime, it is best not to have too 
much water during the process of boiling. The mixture, 
however, should not be allowed .to become pasty and water 
should therefore be added during*the boiling whenever it 
seems necessary. Upon the completion of the cooking 
process, pass the mixture through a wire strainer and dilute 



MATERIALS USED IN SPRAYING 27 

to the required amount of water. It is preferable to use hot 
water for the dilution or else have a boiler sufficiently 
large to bring the mixture to a boil after the dilution. 

The salt increases the adhesiveness of the mixture, but 
many orchardists leave it out with apparently good results. 
The mixture is best applied to the trees while still hot, as 
it is then less^ liable to clog the nozzle. When allowed to 
stand over night, reheating is necessary owing to the forma- 
tion of sulphur crystals. It is therefore best to prepare the 
mixture only as needed for immediate application. When 
large quantities are wanted, arrangements should be made 
whereby a connection with a boiler may be had and the 
cooking accomplished by steam. 

Kerosene — Petroleum has long been a standard as an 
insecticide of the external irritant class, killing by its pene- 
trating and irritant qualities. It cannot be applied to plants, 
however, in an undiluted state without causing considerable 
injury. As it cannot be diluted with water, various other 
materials have been introduced to accomplish this result. 
The methods of dilution which have received most attention 
are kerosene emulsion, the kerosene-lime mixtures, and the 
kesosene sprayers, which automatically mix oil and water 
in the act of pumping. 

Kerosene emulsion was first introduced about 1878 by 
the making of either a milk or soap emulsion. The milk 
emulsion, however, was never satisfactory. Neither was 
the soap emulsion, for that matter, until 1904, but for twenty 
years past the agricultural papers and Experiment Station 
bulletins have repeatedly contained the directions for its 
preparation simply because we had nothing better to take its 
place as a contact insecticide. The trouble has been that 
the making of an emulsion has required boiling soap suds 
and much agitation. Hence the emulsion has never been in 



28 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

general use in spite of all that has been said in its favor. 
In 1904, however, the writer sprayed two thousand maple 
trees with the emulsion, using a special soft soap containing 
40 per cent naphtha and sold under the trade name of 
"Tak-a-nap" soap. This proved so satisfactory in making 
the emulsion on a large scale that no one need now hesitate 
in using the emulsion on account of difficulty in prepar- 
ing it. Similar soaps containing a large percent naphtha 
will do as well. 

To make a 10 per cent emulsion with the naphtha soap, 
dissolve one pound of the soap in two and one-half gallons 
of water by thoroughly stirring for a few minutes. Then 
pour two and one-half gallons of kerosene into the dis- 
solved soap and mix thoroughly by pumping it twice 
through a bucket sprayer. Then dilute with 20 gallons of 
water, thus making 22^ gallons of water to 2^ gallons of 
kerosene or 10 per cent kerosene to the entire mixture. 
Any desired per cent of emulsion can be made by simply 
varying the amount of water used for dilution. 

For a description of the special kerosene sprayers, where- 
by dilution is accomplished during the act of pumping, see 
page 37. 

For two years past attention has been called to the desir- 
ability of making a kerosene-lime emulsion by means of a 
special grade of hydrated lime. Should this way of pro- 
ducing the emulsion prove what its advocates claim, it will 
be a very satisfactory method of making a combined spray- 
ing mixture. Different sprayologists, however, report such 
varying results with its use that it is doubtful if the mix- 
ture will come into general use. 

Paris Green — This is the "old reliable" insecticide used 
for all insects that chew their food. But there are certain 
disadvantages in its use and the arsenate of lead is rapidly 
coming into favor as a better insecticide. The Paris green 



MATERIALS USED IN SPRAYING 29 

is often adulterated. It does not remain long in suspension 
in water and thus requires much agitation during the pro- 
cess of spraying. In order to prevent injury to foliage it is 
always best to add a little fresh lime when spraying tender 
foliage like the peach. The Paris green is generally used at 
the rate of one-fourth pound of the green to fifty gallons 
of water, or a teaspoonful of the green to a bucket of 
water. When mixing the green with water, add only a 
small amount of water at first to make a paste. Or when 
adding the green to Bordeaux mixture make a paste first 
and then stir into the entire amount of Bordeaux. 

Arsenate of Lead — This is a stomach poison which is 
rapidly taking the place of Paris green for such purpose. 
Its great advantages are that it adheres well to the foliage 
and hence the spraying does not have to be repeated as it 
does not readily wash off by rain. It also remains sus- 
pended well in water so that an even distribution can be 
obtained. It is white in color and shows just where it has 
been applied. But perhaps its principal advantage lies in 
the fact that it does not injure tender foliage. It is thus 
worthy of very general use. It can be purchased in the 
market under the trade name of "Disparene," or can be 
prepared by the following formula : 

Arsenate of soda 4 ounces. 

Acetate of lead 11 ounces. 

Water ■. 16 gallons. 

Dissolve each separately in a half gallon of warm water, 
mix together and add water to make sixteen gallons. The 
commercial arsenate of lead can be purchased ready for 
use from the seed stores or any de^Hr in other insec- 
ticides. 

Other Insecticides — There are many other insecticides 
used in spraying but none are as good as those here given 
and their use is not recommended. The same may be said 



30 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

regarding other fungicides. It is far better to use only a 
few substances and know how to use these properly than 
to experiment with others of less value. 

Special Preparations — Many of these are upon the 
market and while they are not to be generally recom- 
mended, yet some of them are most excellent, especially for 
certain purposes. A distinction should be made between 
the preparations placed on the market by well established, 
reliable firms and the preparations put out by the firms of 
mushroom growth. The fact that any special preparation 
has been on the market for a number of years is a good 
indication that the article has merit. Good examples of 
this are shown in the merits of Disparene, Kreso and slug- 
^hot. Disparene is simply arsenate of lead in convenient 
form, Kreso is a coal tar product very useful as a disin- 
fectant as well as insecticide, while slug-shot is a mixture of 
gypsum and other chemicals which has been on the market 
for many years. 

Liquid or Dry Application? — The application of fungi- 
cides and insecticides in dry form is more easily accom- 
plished than in the liquid form. 
The results obtained, however, 
are rarely satisfactory, as the 
material used will not stay upon 
the foliage. At best it can only be 
applied to the upper surface of 
the leaves. There are cases, 
however, as on hillsides where 
dry application may be advis- 
able. In case of some low 
^^S"' 5. growing plants, especially the 

Dry Powder Distributor. ^^^^^^^^^ j.y application is very 

convenient. The best machine for dry application to lo\^ 
growing plants is shown in Fig. 5. 





Fig. 8. 
Spray Bellows. 



CHAPTER III. 

Spray Pumps and Outfits 

Best Outfits Only — It does not pay to waste time in the 
use of poor outfits. A pump that is continually getting out 
of order had better be thrown away. All working parts 
should be made of brass. 
Iron soon corrodes by the 
action of the spray chem- 
icals. A rubber valve is soon 
swelled by kerosene. Use 
only an outfit suited for the purpose in hand and have 
several outfits where necessary. 

Spray Bellows and Atomizers— Fig. 6 shows a form 
of bellows quite popular some years ago. It is a con- 
venient form for greenhouse work, but in general use 
becomes very tiresome. These cost from one to two dol- 
lars. Fig. 7 shows an atomizer which has the advantage 
of making the spray solution cover foliage without any 
waste of materials. For spraying on a small scale, with a 
few low plants, flowers, or rose bushes, they do very well 
if nothing better is at hand. They are not adapted for 
tree spraying" and cost from $1.00 to $2.50, depending on 
the material of their construction. Those made of tin last 

only a few weeks 

as only copper or 

brass will stand 

the corrosive ac- 

■pig, 7. tion of the chem- 

Spray Atomizer. icals. 

Bucket Spray Pumps— One of the many styles of this 

class of sprayers is shown in Fig. 8. These cost from $1.00 

to $5.00, the cheaper ones being made of tin, with either a 



M 




34 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 




Fig. 8. 
Bucket Sprayer. 



tin nozzle or none at all. A good bucket 
sprayer, with a proper nozzle and made 
with all brass working parts, is a very 
useful and convenient apparatus. They 
are useful in all spraying operations on 
a small scale and also useful in washing 
Duggies, whitewashing, and for fighting 
fire. A nozzle which throws a solid 
stream is the best for this style of spray- 
ers. 

Knapsack Sprayers — Some years 
ago the knapsack sprayer was more pop- 
ular than at present, as operators have 
found it tiresome to carry five gallons 
of spray liquid on the back. To lessen 
these objections the author has suggested certain improve- 
ments, the result being shown in the pattern illustrated in 
Fig. 9. This form of knapsack sprayer can be readily 
changed into a bucket sprayer by 
removing the lever and long han- 
dle and substituting the handle 
shown in the dotted lines. The 
cost of a knapsack sprayer with 
copper tank is from $8.00 to $10.00, 
depending on the construction and 
quality of material. They are 
of special use in spraying small 
vineyards, garden vegetables and 
potatoes. 

Barrel Spray Pumps — These 
are force pumps fastened to the 
side or end of an oil or whisky ^^^ q 

barrel. Of the many styles on the Knapsack Sprayer. 




SPRAY PUMPS AND OUTFITS 



35 




Fig. 10. 
Barrel Sprayer. 



market those with a submerged 
cylinder, as shown in Fig. 10, 
are perhaps preferable. A good 
r.echanical agitator is absolutely 
essential in a barrel sprayer. For 
the best work three persons are 
necessary in operating the out- 
fit, one to drive and pump and 
one each to operate the two sec- 
tions of hose. The hose sections 
should be of varying length, de- 
pending upon the work to be 
done. When the spraying is 
done by the operators standing 
i 1 the wagon 10 to 12 foot sec- 
tions are sufficient, but with large trees where the operators 
v7ork from the ground, longer hose is essential. Every bar- 
rel sprayer, or any other outfit 
with two sections of hose, should 
be provided with a three-way cock. 
This will enable the spray to be 
shut off from either one or both 
hose sections and there is thus no 
v%'aste of materials. The cost of 
a barrel spraying outfit ranges 
from $5.00 to $20.00. 

Compressed Air Outfits — The 
general character of these spray- 
ers is shown in Fig. 11. With 
them the work of pumping is ex- 
ceedingly easy. The outfits con- 
sist of an air-tight receptacle and Pj 22_ 
an air pump. They are convenient Compressed Air Sprayer. 




36 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



for small work, but lack agitators so that unless the tanks 
are k:ept constantly shaken an uneven and ineffective spray- 
ing is done. With good agitators they would be worthy 
of more general use. 

Another style of sprayers similar to these is the "Gas" 
sprayer wherein the power for spraying is obtained by 
liquefied carbonic gas. They are made from 50 to 200 
gallons in capacity and cost from $75.00 to $200.00. 




Fig. 12. 
Power Sprayer. 

Power Sprayers — Steam engine outfits have been used 
to some extent but the cost of fuel and labor as well as loss 
of time in starting give the gasoline outfits the advantage. 
A steam power sprayer is shown in Plate IV. Gasoline 
sprayers where the power is furnished by a gasoline engine 
of about one and one-half to three horse power are now be- 
coming quite popular in all large spraying operations. Spray- 
ing is such an essential practice in parks and large orchards, 
that the first cost of an outfit is not nearly so important as 
the saving of time in labor, and the convenience which is 



SPRAY PUMPS AND OUTFITS 



37 




Fig. 13. 
Kerosene Indicator. 



obtained with a gasoline sprayer. The 

general character of these outfits is 

shown in Fig. 12. A special spray tank 

is provided and four leads of hose can be 

operated at once. The cost of these out- 
fits ranges from $100.00 to $300.00, the 

last named being for complete outfits, 

i^.cluding wagon truck, tank, hose, etc. 
The Kerosene Sprayers — These 

consist of a kerosene attachment to the 

bucket and knapsack sprayers, whereby 

kerosene and water are mixed in the act 

of pumping. The kerosene is placed in 

a separate tank which connects with the pump cylinder by 

means of a suction pipe. The regular reservoir is filled 

with water, and by this means both kerosene and water are 

forced through the pump at each stroke of the plunger. 

The mixture of the two liquids takes place partly in the 
pump but more especially at the nozzle, 
where they are divided into very fine 
particles. The proportions of oil are 
controlled by means of a valve which 
is connected to an indicator on top of 
the kerosene tank as shown in Fig. 13. 
The knapsack style of these sprayers 
is shown in Fig. 14. The kerosene 
tanks are readily detached when the 
sprayers are wanted for applying other 
liquids and they then become the same 
as the ordinary bucket or knapsack 
sprayers. 
Fig. 14. Extensions— In spraying trees, es- 

''^^^Spr\y«!'°''"' pecially where the hose is operated 




38 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 




from the ground, some arrangement is neces- 
sary whereby the nozzle is held near the 
toliage or branches. This may be accom- 
plished either by means of an extension pipe, 
or an extra section of hose and pole connec- 
tion. An extension pipe should consist of a 
quarter inch brass tube inside of a bamboo 
pole. This will be found to be much lighter 
and more easily handled than an ordinary iron 
pipe. With an extra section of hose and pole 
connection such as shown in Fig. 15, the same object of 
holding the nozzle near the foliage is also accomplished. 

Field Sprayers — In spraying low growing crops on a 
large scale it is quite important to have an outfit arranged 
with several nozzles adjustable in position so that several 
rows of potatoes or other crops can be sprayed at a time. 
Such an outfit is shown in Fig. 16. Generally all that is 
needed is the regular barrel sprayer placed in a wagon 
and arranged with several leads of hose and nozzles. 
Special outfits of this nature are on the market. 

Nozzles — The nozzle is perhaps the most important 
feature of a spray outfit. What is wanted in all spraying 
operations is the application of a fine mist and not drops 
of the liquid. A perfect nozzle would be one where the 
liquid is thrown a considerable distance in a fine mist-like 

spray, zuithout zvastc 



Field Sprayer. 




of materials, and one 
that could be changed 
to throw a coarser 
spray or a solid 
stream. Unfortunate- 
ly a perfect nozzle 
has not yet been in- 



SPRAY PUMPS AND OUTFITS 



39 




Fig. 17. 
Vermorel Nozzle. 



vented, although the Bordeaux noz- 
zle is close to perfection. The three 
best known nozzles are as follows : 

The J^cniiorcl is shown in Fig. 17 
and undoubtedly throws the finest 
spray of any. In its use the nozzle 
should be held quite near the foliage or branches as the 
liquid is not thrown out with much force. 

The Bordeaux, shown in Fig. 18, is the best all-around 
nozzle, and where but one is used this style should be the 
pattern selected. The Bordeaux has the advantage over 
all other spray nozzles in that the character of the spray 
is readily changed from a solid stream to a 
mist-like fan-shaped spray. Should there be 
any clogging of the nozzles with the spray 
material, it is easily remedied by turning the 
handle. 

The Cyclone, _ shown in Fig. 19, has been 
largely used for some years but it does not 
have the advantages of a disgorging device. 
The spray is conical-shaped, similar to the 
Vermorel. 

The Proper Outfit— Jh^ particular outfit to be selected 
will depend altogether upon the amount and character 
of the work to be done. For spraying on a small scale 




Fig. 18. 

Bordeaux 
Nozzle. 



the bucket or knapsack pattern, with extension hosC; 

be all that ts needed. For orchard work 

a barrel sprayer is essential. In large 

orchards or public parks, the power 

sprayers should be used. No one outfit 

can be expected to suit all the varying 

conditions of spraying. That style -pis- 19. 

should be selected which is best suited cyclone Nozzle. 



ill 




40 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

for the work in hand. The more expensive outfits are 
often the cheapest in the end for they are the most saving 
of labor. In large operations an elevated platform upon 
the spray wagon, such as shown in Fig. 20, may be used. 

Care of an Outfit — A spray pump, like any machine, 
will do good work and last in proportion to its care. When 
an outfit is first received, it should be carefully studied, 
that its working principles may be thoroughly understood 
by the person using it. When a pump does not work prop- 




Fig. 20. 
Showing Elevated Platform. 

erly, the cause of the trouble should be ascertained at once 
and remedied, otherwise permanent damage may result. 
After using Bordeaux mixture clear water should be run 
through the sprayer to remove any sediment that might 
otherwise remain. When the spraying is over for the 
season, the pump should be thoroughly cleaned, using vine- 
gar to remove traces of Bordeaux. With proper care the 
pump proper will last several years. The hose, however, 
will probably have to be replaced after one or two seasons' 
use. 




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CO 
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(A 

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H 

O) 

u 



^3 

OS 

;h 
P4 

CO 

+J 

o 

a 
H 



yi'.^_ 




ft 

Oh 

'a 
a 
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Oi 
Oi 

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OS 
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CHAPTER IV. 

Summary of Spraying Plants 

APPLE 

Summary of Treatment—Fractically all of the many 
insect and fungous enemies of the apple can be remedied 
by three or four sprayings during each spring. The 
first spraying should be given just before the buds swell 
in March, followed by a second spraying just after the 
blossoms fall. The third spraying should be given three 
weeks later and still a fourth spraying three weeks after- 
wards. Tiie spraying should consist of the Bordeaux 
mixture, with arsenate of lead or Paris green added. If 
scale insects are present the first spraying should consist 
of the sulphur and lime w^ash. Each tree should be looked 
over carefully during the winter and all dried up fruit re- 
moved, the loose bark scraped off, and any' old leaves still 
adhering carefully picked off and burned. 

Borers in Trunk — Go over 
the trees in autumn and with a 
knife remove any borers which 
may be just starting their work. 
In spraying with Bordeaux and 
arsenate of lead make applica- 
tion upon the trunk as well as 

upon the branches. If borers ^iff- 21. 

1 Apple Tree Borer. 

are numerous apply m sprmg a ^^ 

whitewash containing soft soap and crude carbolic acid. 
Fig. 21 shows a common form of the apple tree borer. 
Scale Insects — The most common are the oyster-shell 
bark louse, the scurfy scale and the San Jose scale. The 
first is elongated, much resembling in form an oyster shell, 
but of a dark color. The last two are very similar to 




44 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



each other in appearance, both forming a grayish incrus- 
tation upon the bark. The scurfy scale is somewhat tri- 
angular in appearance, however, while the San Jose is 
somewhat circular with a prominent raised portion in the 
center. It is important to know what scale is present, for 
the oyster-shell scale and the scurfy scale are both very 
easily treated, while the San Jose scale is a more serious 
pest in that it cannot be so readily exterminated. In fact, 
if the San Jose is present on only a few trees, it is best 
to cut these down and burn them in order that the scale 
may not be spread to an entire orchard. 

To kill the oyster-shell or scurfy scale, spray the trunk 
and larger branches in May or June about the time the 
leaves are coming out, with 10 per cent kerosene emulsion. 
At this season the young are just hatching and appear as 
minute light colored specks upon the bark. To keep the 
San Jose scale in check, spray early in the spring with 
the lime and sulphur solution. 

The Woolly Aphis — This insect, shown in Fig. 22, 
works on both the roots and trunk and larger branches. 
When new trees are set out they should be carefully 

examined for this in- 
sect, and if present 
dip the roots in a 10 
per cent kerosene 
emulsion. If present 
upon the trunk or 
branches, first scrape 
off all loose bark and 
spray with 10 per cent kerosene emulsion. There is both 
a winged and wingless form and the insect may be readily 
distinguished by the white down somewhat resembling 
cotton upon the abdomen. 




Fig. 22. 
Apple Aphis. 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 



45 



Bud Worms— These are small caterpillars which eat 
the leaves before they open in the early spring. They 
may be destroyed by spraying with arsenate of 
lead before the leaves open. Where the trees are 
sprayed with Bordeaux mixture and the arsenate 
of lead for a general treatment, special treatment is not 
necessary. 

Leaf Grumpier — This insect passes the winter upon the 
trees, securely fastened between two leaves which generally 
adhere to the branches. Go over the trees in winter and 
pick ofif all remaining leaves and 
burn. Where this has been neg- 
lected, spray with arsenate of lead in 
June for the destruction of the cater- 
pillars. 

Canker Worms — These are the 
''measuring worms" so common at 
times in the spring. A spraying with 
arsenate of lead will promptly kill the 
caterpillars. 

The Codling Moth — This is per- 
haps the principal insect enemy of 
the apple, being the cause of 
wormy apples and pears, and is 
shown in Fig. 23. The eggs are 
laid in the blossom end of the 
young apples and later a second 

brood of moths lay their eggs upon the growing fruit. 
The trees should be sprayed with arsenate of lead just 
after the blossoms have fallen and again three weeks 
later. 

Apple Sca6— This is a widespread disease which 
shows itself on both the fruit and leaves in the form of 




Fig. 23. 
The Codling Moth. 



46 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



dark colored spots as shown in Plate II. It is always 
more or less prevalent and can be prevented by spraying 
with Bordeaux mixture. Make the first application ten 
days before the buds open, followed by three other appli- 
cations at intervals of two weeks. 

The Bitter Rot — This disease causes the fruit to rot 
before ripening. It can be prevented by five applications 
of Bordeaux mixture at intervals of two weeks, making 

the first application four 
weeks after the fruit 
has set. 

Sooty Fungus — This 
causes a blackened, 
spotty appearance on 
the fruit of some va- 
rieties, especially the 
early kinds. One appli- 
cation of Bordeaux mix- 
ture in June will pre- 
vent its appearance. 

T wig Bligh t — See 
Fire Blight of Pear. 

Other Diseases of 
the apple include black 
rot, leaf blight, fly 
speak, powdery mildew 
and rust. The application of Bordeaux mixture as given 
under the head of general treatment for the apple will pre- 
vent all these diseases. 




Fig. 24. 
Cabbage "Worm and Butterfly. 



BEAN 

Anthracnose—Th'is is a disease causing brown spots on 
the pods. Spray with Bordeaux mixture three times, mak- 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 47 

ing the first application when the plants are about five 
inches high, and repeat at intervals of two weeks. 

BLACKBERRY 

Same as Raspberry, which see. 

CABBAGE 

Caterpillars — There are several species, the most com- 
mon of which is the green worm which hatches into a 
white butterfly. This is shown in Fig. 24. There are sev- 
eral methods used for the destruction of these insects, the 
best being spraying with either kerosene emulsion, or hot 
water. Use a 10 per cent emulsion. If boiling water is 
placed in the sprayer, it will be none too hot by the time 
it comes out of the nozzle. When the plants are young, 
arsenate of lead can be used to advantage but in no event 
should this be used after the heads begin to form. 

Cabbage Aphis — These are the small green lice quite 
common on the cabbage. To destroy, spray the plants 
with 15 per cent kerosene emulsion. 

Harlequin Cabbage Bug — Use a trap crop of mustard 
planted in November and in bloom in March. Destroy the 
insects in March by spraying with pure kerosene. If all 
the bugs which live over winter are then destroyed, the 
cabbage crop will be saved. , 

CELERY 

Caterpillars — A green, black and yellow worm which 
feeds on the leaves. Spray the plants with arsenate of lead. 

Blight — There are two diseases which attack the celery 
plant, causing the leaves and stems to become discolored, 
thus lessening the market value of the product. The plants 
in the seed-bed should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 
as soon as they are up and continued at intervals of two 



48 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



weeks until transplanted, or longer if indications of disease 
are present. 

CHERRY 

Aphis — The black plant-lice on the cherry leaves are per- 
haps the hardest to kill of any of the plant lice. It requires 
a kerosene emulsion of 20 per cent to destroy them. 

Slug — Shown in Fig. 25. Spray with arsenate of lead. 

CORN 

Chinch Bug — In former years this was a very injurious 

pest, but is not now so common. Can be destroyed by 

spraying with 10 per cent kerosene emulsion. 

Other Corn Insects — Corn should be planted on land 

which has been 

plowed the fall 

previous. It 

should not be 

planted on sod 

land, especially 

when the sod is 

^'^- ^^- turned under in 

Cherry Slug. ^j^^ ^p^j^^ ^^ ^^^ 

year. These precautions will prevent the work of cut- 
worms and many other insects which attack the plant. 

COTTON 

Cotton Army Worm — This insect has done no partic- 
ular damage in recent years, and does not appear in such 
large numbers as formerly. In some particular sections, 
however, it is present in small numbers. It may be easily 
destroyed by spraying the plants with arsenate of lead. 

Cotton Boll Worm — If the plants are sprayed three or 
four times at intervals of four weeks during the summer, 
the destruction caused by this insect will be greatly lessened. 




SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 49 

Fungous Affections— Jhtre are several diseases affect- 
ing the cotton plant, known mostly under the name of leaf 
rust and blight. Three or four applications of Bordeaux 
mixture at intervals of three weeks, beginning the first 
week in June, will do much towards lessening the damage 
done. Arsenate of lead should be added to destroy any leaf- 
eating insects which may be present. 

CUCUMBER 

Same as Melons, which see. 

CURRANT 

Worm — To destroy, spray with arsenate of lead. As 
the worm will entirely strip the bushes of leaves in a few 
days the plants should be closely watched early in the 
spring and the applications made just as soon as the worms 
are noticed. 

FLOWERS 

Caterpillars — A great variety of leaf-eating caterpillars 
occur upon all kinds of ornamental flowering plants. They 
may all be killed by spraying with arsenate of lead. 

Scale, Plant Lice and Mealy Bugs — These occur quite 
often in hothouses, especially where plants have been ne- 
glected. All affected plants should be sprayed with 10 per 
cent kerosene emulsion. Where hothouse plants are 
specially tender, try the 10 per cent emulsion on a small 
scale at first, before making any general application. 

Plant Diseases — In greenhouses these are numerous and 
varied. Their presence generally indicates a lack of careful 
attention and ventilation. When new plants are set fresh 
soil should be used. Spray all infested plants with Bor- 
deaux mixture every ten days. 

GOOSEBERRY 

Leaf=spot and Worm — Same as on Currant, which see. 



50 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



GRAPE 
The Black Rot, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew 
and Anthracnose — Four distinct diseases attack the grape, 
the effects of which are very much the same. The remedies 
also are practically the same. The vines should be given 
a thorough spraying with Bordeaux mixture before the 
buds swell in the early spring. The Bordeaux mixture 
should then be applied every two weeks until the fruit 
begins to ripen. 

GRASS 
Caterpillars — Various leaf-eating caterpillars, especially 
the army worm, shown in Fig. 25, feed upon grass. Grass- 
hoppers are also at 
times quite abundant. 
To destroy, spray 
with arsenate of lead. 

MELON 

Plant Lice— Found 
mostly on the under- 
side of the leaves. 
Spray with 10 per 
cent kerosene emulsion, using an under-sprayer for this 
work. 

Striped Beetle and Flea Beetles — Fresh powdered to- 
bacco applied around the base of the young plants will pre- 
vent the work of these insects. 

Worms — These eat both the leaves and fruit and are 
common only in the South. Spray infested plants with 
arsenate of lead as soon as any worms are noticed. 

Cucumber Mildew — A fungous affection causing the 
leaves to turn yellow or brown in spots. Spray with Bor- 
deaux mixture three or four times at intervals of two 




Fig. 26. 
ThQ Army Worm. 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 51 

weeks, making the first application when the vines are 
nearly half grown. 

The Melon Blight— A disease common in the South, 
caused by bacteria. No remedy is known for this disease. 
Do not plant melons on the same land year after year and 
do not have melons follow potatoes or tomatoes. 

ORANGE 

Scale Insects — There is probably no plant so suscep- 
tible to the attack of scale insects as is the orange. A grove 
will soon become infested with many species of scale 
insects unless regularly sprayed with kerosene emulsion. 
It is much easier to give regular spraying of kerosene 
emulsion whenever any scales are noticed than it is to 
clean up the trees of a grove after they have become 
thoroughly infested with the scales. 

Sooty Mould — A black film which forms on the upper 
side of the leaves and fruit. This fungus lives on the 
sweet secretions of the "white fly," the small white insects 
so common on most orange trees. Kill the white fly by 
a spray of 10 per cent kerosene emulsion and the sooty 
mould will disappear. 

PEACH 

Scale Insects — The peach is attacked by a great variety 
of scale insects, the worst of which is the San Jose scale. 
An orchard should be thoroughly examined at least once 
a year, and if any scale insects are present all infested trees 
should be sprayed with the lime and sulphur solution. If 
found only on a few trees of an orchard, dig out and burn. 
The lime and sulphur solution is most effective if applied 
just before the buds swell in the spring. 

Peach Tree Borer — A small worm which works within 
the bark, at or near the soil surface. The borers should 



52 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

tion of whitewash, to which has been added crude carbolic 
acid and arsenate of lead should be made. 

Curculio — Same as on Plum, which see. 

Peach Aphis — Same as Cherry Aphis, which see. 

Leaf Curl — A curling of the peach leaves, such as is 
shown in Fig. 27, is quite common after wet springs. The 
curled leaves fall off after some time and new leaves put 
forth, which necessarily weakens the vitality of the tree. 
A single spraying of Bordeaux mixture will prevent this 
disease. Where the lime and sulphur solution is used for 
a winter treatment for scale insects, this disease will also 
be prevented. 

The Brown Rot — This disease attacks all the stone 




Fig. 27. 
Peach Leaf Curl. 

fruits and is a serious and widespread fungous affection. 
It causes the fruit, or part of it, to rot before ripening and, 
like most fungous diseases, does its greatest damage dur- 
ing wet seasons. As the disease is more or less present 
in peach and plum orchards at all times, their regular 
treatment with Bordeaux mixture is a matter of consider- 
able importance. A familiar sight in the winter months 
in most peach and plum orchards is the "mummied" fruit 
which still adheres to the branches. As the disease is 
present in this mummied fruit, the first step in the treat- 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 53 

ment of an orchard should be the burning of all such dis- 
eased fruit. The mummies should not simply be picked 
and thrown to the ground, but they should be burned. At 
ieast once during the winter the trees should be thoroughly 
sprayed with a copper sulphate solution — 4 ounces of the 
sulphate to 50 gallons of water. This is the Bordeaux 
mixture without the lime. If, however, scale insects are 
present, the lime and sulphur solution should be used for 
the winter treatment instead of the copper solution. Six 
or seven sprayings with the "Peach Bordeaux Mixture" 
should be given at intervals of two weeks, the first appli- 
cation be'ing made before the buds swell. Arsenate of 
lead should be added to Bordeaux mixture to destroy the 
curculio. Spraying peach orchards so many times as here 
recommended means work, but the results will justify such 
treatment. 

PEAR 

Codling Moth, Bud Moth and Scab — Same as Apple, 
which see. 

Pear=leaf Blight — This is a fungous affection which 
yields readily to Bordeaux mixture. Spray early in the 
spring, making two or three applications. 

Pear Blight — This is a widespread disease which occurs 
especially in the South. It is caused by bacteria which 
work entirely within the tree and no spray application will 
do any good whatever. The bearing trees should be made 
to grow as slowly as possible. Prune only in summer. 
Winter pruning promotes growth, while summer pruning 
retards it. Cut off affected limbs considerably below point 
of infection and dip the pruning tools in a bichloride of 
mercury anticeptic solution after each operation. Any 
pruning without this precaution will tend to spread rather 
than lessen the disease. 



54 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



PLUM 

Curculio — This insect, shown in Fig. 28, is common in 
every State east of the Rocky Mountains. The adults eat 
the tender foHage for some time before the fruit is "stung" 
and owing to this fact we have a good remedy in arsenate 
of lead. The trees should be sprayed three or four times 
at intervals of ten days, making the first application before 
the buds have opened. In large orchards spraying will 
prevent injury to a great extent, as great numbers of the 
adult insects will be killed before the fruit is stung. Where 
only a few trees are sprayed the effect of the insecticide 
will be the same in killing the adult insects, but as others 
will come from surrounding 
trees which are not sprayed 
and will sting the fruit on the 
sprayed trees, the latter will still 
lose a good per cent of their 
fruit. Spray the trees of an en- 
tire orchard, not simply a feiv 
of them. In spraying for the 
curculio it is only necessary to 
add the arsenate of lead to 
Bordeaux mixture when spray- 
ing for the brown rot. 
Brown Rot — The same disease as in the Peach, which 
see. 

The Plum=leaf Btight — This is a disease causing dark 
spots on the leaves and is especially prevalent in nursery 
rows. It is readily held in check with three or four ap- 
plications of Bordeaux mixture. 

Black Knot — This disease forms knotty excrescences on 
the twigs and small branches. Cut off and burn them as 
they appear. 




Fig. 28. 
Plum Curculio. 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 55 

POTATO (Irish) 

Potato Beetle— Spray with arsenate of lead when the 
beetles appear in the spring, which will generally be as soon 
as the plants are out of the ground. If the first brood were 
destroyed in a neighborhood there would be few or no 
second broods. 

Potato Blight — There are two fungous affections of the 
potato, known as the early and late blight, but the treat- 
ment for both diseases is the same. The Bordeaux mixture 
should be applied as soon as the vines are nearly half 
grown and other applications made as soon as the first 
applications are washed off by rain. The vines thus treated 
will remain green and healthy long after the others have 
died. As the tubers do not begin to form until after the 
plants have blossomed, it is readily seen that vines treated 
with Bordeaux mixture will have a longer period of growth, 
and thus yield much rnore than others. Arsenate of lead 
should be added to the Bordeaux mixture when the beetles 
are present. To increase the yield, potatoes should be 
sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture, whether potato dis- 
eases are present or not. Plate I shows the results of 
spraying Irish potatoes at the Vermont Experiment Station. 

Scab — ^This causes the rough and uneven surface on the 
tubers and greatly lessens their market value. It may be 
prevented by treating the seed potatoes as follows : Dis- 
solve 1 ounce of bichloride of "mercury (corrosive subli- 
mate) in 30 gallons of water. Put the seed potatoes in 
a coarse sack and immerse in the solution for two hours. 
The same solution may be used over and over again. It 
should be remembered that the bichloride is a violent 
poison, and precautions must be taken accordingly. Do not 
place the solution in a metallic vessel. 



56 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

QUINCE 

Fungous Disease — The quince is attacked by black rot, 
rust, leaf blight and fruit spot. These may be prevented by 
three applications of Bordeaux mixture at intervals of two 
or three weeks, making the first application early in May. 

RASPBERRY 

Anthracnose — This is a very serious disease, and causes 
the leaves to be much smaller than normal and the fruit 
to shrivel so much as to be worthless. The plants should 
receive three sprayings of Bordeaux mixture of one-half 
the usual strength ; that is, with double the usual amount 
of water. The first application should be made before the 
leaves open and the others at intervals of two weeks. 

The Orange l^ust — The red, or orange powder, found 
on the plants early in the season is quite familiar to most 
growers. Where the plants are sprayed as given above for 
the anthracnose the orange rust will do but little, if any, 
damage. 

ROSE 

Aphis — Where many of these are present they materially 
check the development of the buds. Spray with 10 per cent 
kerosene emulsion, taking care to reach the under surface 
of the leaves. 

Thrips — These are the small insects which feed on the 
buds before opening and are generally numerous in the 
spring. As the insects are largely concealed they are hard 
to reach with insecticides, but a spraying of kerosene emul- 
sion will kill many of these tiny pests. 

Slug — Spray with arsenate of lead. 

Mildew — A common disease in greenhouses, especially 
where plants do not receive proper attention in the matter 



SUMMARY OF SPRAYING PLANTS 57 

of ventilation and water. Florists generally use sulphur 
fumigations twice a week. Spraying with Bordeaux mix- 
ture is also effective. 

Rust — The rose rust causes dark spots upon the leaves, 
and plants affected with the disease do not thrive well, and 
have a sickly appearance. In spraying a large number of 
roses in New Orleans, in 1897, the author found that the 
regular application of Bordeaux mixture every three weeks 
entirely prevented the rust, and the treated plants appeared 
much more vigorous and healthy than others. 

STRAWBERRY 

Slug — Pale green worms which eat the leaves, especially 
on young plants. To destroy these worms spray with 
arsenate of lead. This, of course, should not be done 
during the bearing season. 

Leaf Blight — This is a common diseased condition of 
the leaves, as shown in Plate III. It rarely attacks new and 
thrifty beds. The plants should be sprayed three or four 
times a year with Bordeaux mixture, making at least one 
application before the blossoms open. 

SHADE TREES 

Beetles and Caterpillars — A great variety of these 
leaf-eating insects attack various shade trees. Whenever 
present the trees should be sprayed with arsenate of lead. 

Scale Insects — The shade trees of our large cities are 
rapidly becoming infested with various scale insects, the 
most injurious of which is the San Jose scale. All infested 
trees should be sprayed with kerosene emulsion or the win- 
ter treatment of lime and sulphur solution. 

Fungous Diseases — There are many plant diseases 
which affect shade trees, but few of them do serious dam- 



58 SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 

age. Affected trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux 
mixture. 

SQUASH 

Bug — This insect sucks the plant juice and is a very 
serious pest to squash growers. The young may be de- 
stroyed by the application of 10 per cent kerosene emul- 
sion. The squash is a tender plant, and care should be 
exercised in the application of the oil. The adult bugs 
should be picked off and killed. A little careful attention 
at the right time will prevent damage. 

TOBACCO 

Horn Worm — This insect is quite prevalent and is 
very familiar to tobacco and tomato growers. The plants 
should be sprayed with arsenate of lead as soon as any 
worms are noticed. Several applications may be necessary 
during the season, and a knapsack is the most useful outfit 
for the purpose. 

TOMATO 

Horn Worm — This is the same as on the tobacco. 

Rot — This disease first shows itself on the blossom end 
of the fruit when about half grown. Three or four appli- 
cations of Bordeaux mixture should be made at intervals 
of two weeks, making the first application as soon as the 
fruit begins to set. 

The Blight — This is a disease quite common in the lower 
South. It produces a wilting of the plants and is caused 
by bacteria — not fungi. No remedy for this disease is 
known. Tomatoes should not follow potatoes, melons, or 
tomatoes on the same land in case any wilting of any of 
these crops manifests itself. 



CHAPTER V. 

Summary of Spraying Domestic Animals 

General Recommendations — Animals which are al- 
lowed to become infested with insects soon become weak- 
ened and emaciated. It chould be remembered that insects 
upon domestic animals are parasites, which suck the life 
blood of the animal. The prevention of these insects is 
much better than a cure and on this account regular spray- 
ing of kennels, poultry houses and stables with some good 
disinfectant such as Kreso or similar products, which can 
be obtained at any drug store, is recommended. 

CATTLE 

Lice — Spray infested animals thoroughly with a one 
per cent solution of Kreso. Where a large number of 
cattle are to be treated a large vat in which to "dip" the 
animal can be used. Experiments have been made with 
large spraying machines, the cattle being driven through a 
covered way, spraying from all sides. 

Ticks — These are very common pests in the South, and 
are the carriers of the Texas or "acclimation" fever. The 
infested animals should be sprayed with one per cent Kreso, 
care being taken to reach all parts of the hind quarters 
where the pests are most coriimon. 

Horn Flies — These pests are distributed over the en- 
tire United States. They are not so numerous now, how- 
ever, as they were shortly after being introduced from 
Europe some twenty years ago, but there are always 
enough of them in a dairy herd to warrant a spray treat- 
ment. If the cattle are sprayed at milking time daily for 
six days with one per cent Kreso, the number of flies will 



60 



SPRAYING FOR PROFIT 



greatly decrease. The spray should be directed upon the 
flies and they will be killed as soon as the solution strikes 
them. The object of spraying on consecutive days is to 
kill the new flies which hatch from day to day, so that no 
new eggs will be laid. If several such consecutive treat- 
ments are given during the season, the number of flies 
about the animals will be greatly lessened ; therefore no 
dairyman can afford to neglect this work. 

CATS 
Fleas — Spray or dip the animal, using two per cent solu- 
tion of Kreso. 

DOGS 
Fleas — Same remedy as cats. 

HOGS 
Lice — There are several species attacking hogs, all of 
which may be readily killed by a spray of two 
per cent Kreso, or similar preparation of equal 
strength. 

HORSES 



Lice — There are several species which occur 
on horses and are to be found especially about 
the mane. Spray with one per cent Kreso. 



9 

/mMJ^ POULTRY 

j^M^ Lice and Mites — The common poultry louse 

^1^ is shown in Fig. 29. It is quite easy to distin- 
guish between the mites and the lice. The 
mites get on the hands of a person when work- 
ing around a poultry house. They are lively 
little creatures and are constantly "on the go." The lice, 
however, are rarely seen unless looked for among the 
feathers. About nine-tenths of poultry diseases are pri- 



Fig. 29. 
Chicken 
Louse. 



SPRAYING DOMESTIC ANIMALS 61 

marily caused by the mites and lice, so that the best method 
of keeping them under control is a matter of considerable 
importance. It is much easier to prevent mites and lice 
than it is to get rid of them after they once become abun- 
dant. The manure under the roosts should be removed 
about twice a month. Spray the poultry houses thoroughly 
once a month with a two "per cent solution of Kreso or 
similar preparation. This treatment will prevent or destroy 
the chicken mites. Where the animals are at all infested 
with lice spray or dip thoroughly in a one per cent solu- 
tion of Kreso or similar material. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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